Posted on August 25, 2026 · The Yong Technologies
Medical practices put a lot of care into protecting patient records in the office. The website is often forgotten — yet it is where patients request appointments, fill out forms and send questions. Here is a practical checklist we use with the physicians and clinics we serve.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your obligations under HIPAA, talk with your compliance advisor.
Forms and messages
- Know what each form collects. A general contact form should ask for a name, phone and a short message — not symptoms, diagnoses or insurance numbers.
- Use a secure tool for anything clinical. Intake forms that collect health information should go through a HIPAA-compliant form or patient portal provider that will sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA).
- Avoid plain email for health details. Standard website forms usually deliver submissions by email. That is fine for "please call me back", but not for medical histories.
Hosting and access
- HTTPS everywhere. Every page should show the padlock. It protects what patients type and helps your search ranking.
- Strong logins. Everyone who manages the website should have their own account, a strong password and two-step verification.
- Updates and backups. Outdated software is the most common way sites are compromised. Patch promptly and keep daily backups.
Tracking and analytics
- Be careful with tracking pixels. Advertising and analytics scripts on appointment or condition pages can send sensitive information to third parties. Keep them off patient-facing forms and portals.
Your privacy notice
- Link your Notice of Privacy Practices in the footer, along with a website privacy policy that explains what the site collects.
What patients notice
Privacy is also about trust. Clear forms, a professional design and quick responses tell patients their information is in good hands. If you would like a second set of eyes on your practice website, we are happy to review it with you.
